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S.E.Aruba Fly 'n Dive LG Smith blvd 1-A Aruba Tel. (297) 5881150 Fax (297) 5881150 |
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DIVE SITES ON ARUBA
These are some of the sites we visit with the boat or from shore: 
1. Antilla Wreck (60'/15m)Referred to locally as the ghost ship, the Antilla is a German freighter that was scuttled by the Germans in 1940. The Antilla is the largest wreck in the Caribbean (400' long) and was sunk when it was brand new. The wreck is excellent for penetrations because of its large compartments. Covered by giant tube sponges and coral formations, the Antilla is surrounded by lobsters and many kinds of tropical fish (mainly angel fish and yellow tails). It is a great place for night diving. 2. Debbie II (70'/24m) In 1992 a 120' fuel barge was sunken to create an artificial reef and a dive site. The wreck is surrounded by a reef where you can find widely spread leaf and brain corals. Rays and lobsters are occasionally spotted at this site. 3. Pedernalis (25'/8m) 
The wreck of the Pedernales, an oil tanker torpedoed by a German submarine during the last World War, is a paradise for beginning divers. The wreck's several large pieces are spread out between coral formations, making visible the complete wreck cabins, wash basins, lavatories, etc., as well as the tanker's pipeline system. The wreck of the Pedernales was cut into three pieces by the U.S. military during the war. The center piece, damaged by the torpedo, was left behind, and the two endpieces were towed to the U.S. and welded together into a smaller vessel. The new ship was a part of the Normandy invasion fleet. The area around the Pedernales wreck is known for its many types of groupers and its bounty of angel fish.
4. Star Gerren (60`/20m) Abourt 5 years ago, this Colombian freighter (approximately 300 ft. long) was sunk in front of the High-rise strip by Hadicurari. It was abandoned by the crew in Barcadera Harbour. When the Aruba Authorities inspected the ship, they found it in such a bad shape that the only option was to sink it. Corals are starting to grow now and sea bass can be found within the freighter. Due to the time the ship is down, things need to grow and everything is still in constant change. 
5. Harbour Reef / Tug Boat (40' - 100'/13-30m)Exciting barranca slopes with an abundance of plant life and soft coral formations. Giant brain coral heads, with surrounding orange, black, and blue sponges, make this another great dive for novices. 
6. Sonesta Airplanes (70-90'/24-30m)Dive to see these two airplanes; a Convair 400 and a beech 18. Both airplanes are sunk on a sloping reef surrounded by sift corals. 7. Sponge Reef (15-80'/5-26m) Home of the soft coral ranging from the orange elephant ear sponges to purple and yellow tube sponges. Also lot of vase and small basket sponges. 8. Tire Reef (15-90'/5-30m) Black coral, sea whips, sea fingers and plenty of gorgonians and sea fans. The Green Moray and Eagle Ray are spotted occasionally on this dive site. 9. Barcadera Reef (20-80'/7-27m) A sandy bottom with an abundance of brain corals and of a number of different species of huge sea fans. The fans oscillate hypnotically with the current, producing a remarkable sensation of movement. 
10. Kantil Reef (40-100'/13-30m)Kantil Reef is a fascinating drop off, with gigantic boulders of brain and star coral, an abundance of massive formations of leaf and sheet corals, and plenty of huge sea fans and gorgoneas. There are incredible marine life encounters to be had here, with yellow tails, morays, groupers, and manta rays. Eagle rays can also be seen here. This is an excellent dive for photography and should definitely be logged. 11. Skalahein (15-100'/5-30m) Particularly fine coral formations sloping to great depth; well known for its large population of barracudas. Excellent for drift-diving. Great manta rays have been spotted here. This is a dive definitely to be logged. 
12. Jane-C Wreck (20-100'/7-30m)At a depth of 80', the Jane Sea sloped so severely as to be nearly upright. The freighter is almost 250 feet long and is surrounded by some spectacular sea fans and brain corals. At this site you find lots of angelfish and scooling tropical fish in and around the wreck. For some reason...you might even get a certain Titanic Feeling when you go down and this huge vessel arises. 13. Plonco Reef (20-100'/7-30m) Home of the green moray! Large green morays welcome you to the great underwater world. Large lobsters are found here scavenging the ocean floor. Giant coral formations contour the landscape. 14. The Palm Slope (15-120'/5-30+m) Magnificent coral formations sloping to great depths. Well known for barracudas. 15. Gino's Choice (20-120'/7-30+m) This site consists of a cool drop off with huge brain and star coral and sea fans leading down the slope to the bottom. Spotted Morays are very common on this site. 16. The Fingers (20-120'/7-30+m) The reef comes out like a finger pointing down to the deep water. Beautiful coral formations and sea fans in the sand surrounding the finger. Turtles are often seen on this site. 17. Mangel Halto Reef (15-55'/5-18m) Shore Dive! A pronounced slope gives you the pportunity to admire a myriad of coral combinations. You will see everything from grooved brain coral to deep water gorgonea, sea anemones, tube sponges, vase sponges, as well as all types of marine life--from octopusses to sea horses and schools of yellow tails. 18. Pos Chiquito (20-100'/7-30+m) Shore Dive! A dive noted for its enormous diversity of sights. Giant star coral castles, as well as brain, star, pillar, flower, finger-leaf, and sheet coral proliferate. Big manta rays, as well as turtles, can be spotted here, and the site was once known as snapper city. Easily accessible by car. A dive not to be missed. 19. Isla di Oro Reef (20-90'/7-30m) A reef very similar to Mangel Halto. View moray eels, coral crabs, and schools of snappers playing around underwater coves formed of sheet coral and leaf coral. Sea rods and sea ships sway gently to the rhythm of the currents. 20. Baby Beach Reef (20-60'/7-20m) Shore Dive! A unique opportunity for shore diving into the open sea. Large formations of elkhorn corals, combined with sheet coral, make it a perfect place for crabs, octopus, and lobsters. Damselfish, turtles and rays are very common. Occasionally a nurse shark is spotted here. As entry and exit are difficult and the water conditions can be rough, this spot is for experienced divers only. |
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